A man who knew how to be king...

What a man!  St. Stephen, King of Hungary, took his responsibilities seriously, starting with the idea of even being a king.  He understood that genuine royalty had to be a reflection of the Kingship of Christ, and so he petitioned the Pope, who crowned him king of Hungary.  St. Stephen was defined by his love for God and his people.  He provided churches, using his own money, and he visted the poor regularly to bring them food and clothing, showing his humility by washing their feet.

What a king!  Some of the faux-royalty we have among our leaders today could take a lesson or two.

O God, who didst call thy servant St. Stephen of Hungary to an earthly throne that he might advance thy heavenly kingdom, and didst give him zeal for thy Church and love for thy people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate him this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.